When I was studying karate, my instructor remarked that one of the toughest people to go up against is a scaffolder. They’re immensely strong. Imagine having to lift long steel poles all day.

I’m sure they’re just as strong in China, however, the preferred material is bamboo, not steel. Whole skyscrapers are covered in the stuff, which hangs together with gaffa tape. From a distance, city blocks look like cocooned larvae waiting to hatch. More photos in the gallery below: